Ali Sayyad Shirazi

Ali Sayad Shirazi (, 13 June 1944 – 10 April 1999) was an Iranian military officer. He was a key military commander of the Iranian Ground Forces during the Iran–Iraq War. Shirazi was assassinated by Mojahedin-e Khalq in 1999 while serving as the deputy chief of the Iranian Armed Forces General Staff.

Early life Shirazi was born in Dargaz, Kabud Gonbad Rural District, Iran, on 13 June 1944. He was of Afshar descent, and his ancestors were from Estahban and Neyriz in Fars province. His grandfather, originally from Khorasan, settled in Dargaz. Shortly after his birth, his family moved to Mashhad, where they lived for two years, and later moved to the region of Mazandaran, living in the cities of Gorgan, Amol and Gonbad-e Kavus. He graduated from Amirkabir High School in Tehran. His father, being a non-commissioned officer in the Iranian military, inspired and motivated him to join the army, and in 1964 he joined as a cadet. He was later awarded the rank of lieutenant general.

During the Iran–Iraq War, Shirazi became one of the most important generals of Iran. In 1981, his role in Kurdistan led him to be appointed him commander of the Iranian Army. In 1982, he led the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and Basij paramilitaries to victory in Operation Undeniable Victory. This was the first time Iran was able to defeat Iraq in a major battle, as Iranian forces broke through Iraq's "impenetrable" defense lines and expelled Iraqi forces from the Dezful-Shush area. This operation is considered by many as the turning point in the war. The MEK, which had established a presence there, was also defeated. By the end of June 1983, he had cleared Iranian Kurdistan and prepared to cross the border.

In 1986, he was named member of the Supreme Defense Council.

Controversy

Ali Sayyad Shirazi (with Mohsen Rezaee, and Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani) was seen as among "the most hawkish of Iran’s military and civilian leaders, and those who most clearly advocated for continuing the war into Iraq."

In July 1986, Shirazi and Mohsen Rezaee, the commander of the IRGC at the time, clashed "violently" over what policy and military strategy should be adopted in the Iran–Iraq War. When this rivalry became public, the supreme leader met them in his residence on 19 July 1986 and urged them to "seek unity", telling them "You must endeavor, not to think in terms of being members of the Armed Forces or those of the Guards Corps or of the Basij forces. ... We must understand that if there were to be any disputes among you ... not only are we doomed here and now, but we also are guilty before God." Both Shirazi and Rezaie were appointed to the Supreme Defense Council; however, within three weeks, Shirazi was dismissed from his position as commander of the ground forces, while Rezaie maintained his operational command responsibilities.

Legacy

Thousands of people attended his state funeral. Shirazi has had several streets, buildings and military complexes named after him, including a subway station and a highway in Tehran.